Pilots Draw with Evansville at Nike Invitational

Photo Courtesy: University of Portland Athletics

(PORTLAND, Ore. ) —  Portland senior Steven Corbett broke a scoreless tie with a goal in the 59th minute, but Evansville's Charlie Macias tallied the equalizer six minutes later as the Pilots and Purple Aces played to a 1-1 draw at the Nike Invitational on Sunday afternoon at Merlo Field.

The Pilots (1-0-1) out-shot the Purple Aces (0-1-1) 20-10, and freshman Erik Edwardson led the way with six shots.
 
In the day's other game, Oregon State shutout UCF 1-0 in Corvallis to give the Beavers the 2014 Nike Invitational title.
 
Corbett's goal came on a perfectly executed set play 13 minutes into the second half. On a corner, Edwardson drove a ball into the box, where it was flicked on by senior Derek Boggs towards the far post. That's where Corbett finished with a header into the right corner of the net for his first goal this season.
 
But moments later Evansville had an answer with the tying goal from Macias, which came against the run of play. Macias gained possession in Portland's half, weaved his way up and across the field and bent a perfectly placed ball inside the left post, out of the reach of Portland's freshman goalkeeper Paul Christensen.
 
Portland had its chances after that, including a volley off the foot of freshman Brandon Zambrano in the 75th minute. He cracked one just wide as the score remained 1-1. Corbett then connected on another dangerous header in the closing minutes, but the two sides would eventually head to overtime.
 
Edwardson had a couple of good opportunities during the extra time, first dragging a shot wide in the 93rd minute. And then in the 107th minute, he nearly found the back of the net with the game-winner on a free kick. From 20 yards out, he bent a low, bouncing shot around the wall, but Evansville's Eric Teppen made a diving stop. Then on the rebound, Zambrano blasted a shot high.
 
Christensen, who recorded his first career shutout on Friday night, was solid once again in goal, finishing with a pair of stops. In the 30th minute, he tipped a shot over the cross bar, which struck by Dylan Terry from outside the 18.
 
The Pilots forced Teppen into six saves overall and Portland held the Purple Aces without a shot during the two overtimes.
 
The game featured a scary moment late in the first half, which caused about a 20 minute delay. Portland's Jacob Hanlin and Jared Robinson both collided into the wall surrounding Merlo Field and Hanlin left the game. Robinson was issued a red card, meaning the Purple Aces played the final 68 minutes a man-down.
 
The Pilots will next head to Florida for a tournament hosted by Florida Gulf Coast. Portland will first face the FGCU Eagles at 4:00 p.m. (Pacific) on Thursday before taking on South Florida on Sunday at 9:00 a.m.

Source: University of Portland Athletics